Lionel Messi is out of contract at Paris Saint-Germain this summer and his future now at a crossroads, with an offer from Saudi Arabia and a return to Barcelona both options on the table.
Messi joined PSG on a two-year contract in the summer of 2021 – with his deal up for renewal in June and talks currently stalled. After a difficult debut campaign in Paris, he has netted 18 goals and provided 19 assists this season and has spoken of his happiness at adapting to life in France this term.
However, his future at PSG looks more uncertain than ever. Alongside Sergio Ramos, his contract talks have been put on hold by the Ligue 1 giants.
On Friday, Barcelona transfer chiefs confirmed contact had been made with Messi regarding a potential return to the Camp Nou. There is also an offer on the table for the Argentine superstar from Saudi Arabia.
Messi’s father, Jorge, travelled to the Saudi capital earlier this month and while it has been claimed that this journey was for commercial reasons – the player is an ambassador for the nation’s tourist board – this trip could also have encompassed transfer talks.
Al-Hilal are observing a transfer ban but believe they will be in a position to sign players this summer. Such a move would pit Messi against Cristiano Ronaldo in the Middle Eastern nation’s capital – reminiscent of their El Clasico rivalry at Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively between 2009 and 2018.
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Ronaldo completed a stunning move to Riyadh-based club Al-Nassr at the turn of 2023 and earns in the region of £173million per year. That is more than any other footballer on the planet in a deal which also distributes the player’s image rights and gives him several contractual responsibilities, including commercially related.
Reports this week claimed that the offer for Messi from Saudi Arabia would see him earn even more than Ronaldo in a record-breaking deal. It comes as L’Equipe detail how PSG need Messi to drop his wage demands to stay at the club due to their need to comply with UEFA’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations, the player does not wish to take a salary cut.
PSG were one of 10 clubs fined for breaching FFP last year; €10m with a further €45m suspended alongside Champions League sanctions should they fail to comply with FFP going forwards. The harshest punishment for continued offences could see them miss out on European participation entirely.
That laid the ground for Barca vice-president Rafa Yuste confirming the club's plan to re-sign Messi and boss Xavi - urging the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner to "come home" for a Michael Jordan -esque "last dance." In a press conference, the Barca boss explained: "There is the [financial] fair play issue, but more than anything it depends on Leo's intentions and [if he wants] to come back."
However, Messi has been refusing to answer phone calls made on behalf of a negotiator close to Joan Laporta, who is desperate for the Argentine star to return to the Camp Nou but his negotiating tactic has so far proven unsuccessful.
Messi appears to have entirely ended his relations with Laporta, whom he feels misled him over his future two summers ago – with the club unable to offer him a contract extension at the Camp Nou, and the Argentine was only aware of this situation in August – when he then uplifted his life by moving to Paris.
The two's separations were also evident at the recent FIFA The Best awards in the French capital when Messi scooped the Men's Best Player of 2022 award. He did not speak to Laporta at all during the event after the Barca president had assured his attendance.
Even if Messi set aside his differences with Laporta, the Catalan club must make €180million in savings in their annual wage bill before accommodating new signings this summer, while they would also have to restructure their team to accommodate the Argentine star.
Nothing is certain in Messi’s future with each of his three main options for his future appearing to be riddled with difficulties and caveats.
